AFF Gathering #17 in BNE on 18 - 20 October 2024

We're pleased to announce that the 2024 AFF annual gathering will be held in Brisbane, the sunny capital of Queensland!

The weekend of Friday 18 - Sunday 20 October 2024 has been chosen for the event. As per past years, there will be a welcome dinner on the Friday evening, optional activities on Saturday and a main dinner on Saturday evening. There may also be an optional activity on Sunday in the late morning.

All AFF members (and +1's, etc.) are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly in on Friday afternoon and leave on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Your lead organisers for this year's event are @NM and @QF WP. Other Brisbane-based members are also welcome to volunteer to assist.

We'll update this thread over the coming months with more information about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs, which we expect to be similar to past gatherings. There will be a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

For now, please feel free to let us know in this thread if you think you'll be able to make it! For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means you're planning to attend and have booked flights/accommodation
• "Gold" means you're likely to attend but will need to confirm at a later time
• "Silver" means you're unlikely to attend at this stage.
• "Bronze" means you're unable to attend.

The AFF Leadership Team can provide support in terms of money collection and distribution, and editing this thread as needed. If something needs to be updated, please simply report the post with the update so anyone on the team can action it (starting a conversation only alerts one person).

We're looking forward to seeing you all in Brissie!

 

[NM]

Platinum - I can attend Fri & Sat dinners. BNE local. Could admin please PM me if prepayment is required to secure place.

Hi @quaternion. I will send you a personalised Event Cost Summary that will include the event registration fee and Saturday dinner along with payment instructions. There is no pre-payment required for Friday night dinner but we do need to know numbers. I will put down for both dinners and will confirm when your payment has been received.

 

[straitman]

I expect we will be late for Friday dinner as arrival from AKL on QF126 at 1725 then needing to get into town to hotel then onward to the dinner.

Our hotel has changed from Sebel to Hilton.

 

[NM]

I expect we will be late for Friday dinner as arrival on QF126 at 1725 then needing to get into town to hotel then onward to the dinner.

Hopefully int arrivals at that time will be fairly quiet. Our recent arrival at BNE int (at 5am from LAX) was very quick/smooth, departing the terminal less than 10 mins after arriving at the gate (which was about 10 mins after landing ). But I doubt you are going to be arriving HLO unless its not by choice.

Let us know your progress and expected ETA as it pans out.

Our hotel has changed from Sebel to Hilton.

Not surprised . Expect there may be a few with similar change now they are accepting reservations.

 

[NM]

Please note that payments are due by tomorrow (Thursday). Thank you to all attendees who have made you payments. If you have not yet initiated your payment, then now is the time to do it . Note that some bank transfer processes can take some time to complete the funds transfer - some are immediate, some take a few hours and some are taking a day to come through.

We have received payment from 44 out of 57, so 13 attendees yet to complete payment. Those attending Friday dinner only are not required to make any pre-payment and are excluded from this number. A few have stated they have or will be making payment arrangements to arrive by tomorrow - thank you and keep an eye on your conversation messages for my acknowledgement of funds receipt.

If you have sent payment and have NOT received a personal reply from me indicating that payment has been received, then that means that as of right now (Wednesday afternoon) you payment has not yet landed in the account. If you believe you have made payment and have not received confirmation from me, please reach out to me so we can follow up the process.

 

[serfty]

Sunday Clocktower Tours

Clocktower tours for Sunday have opened up with Tours scheduled every ¼ hour from 10:15am. These appear to have a maximum of 7 per tour. Booking is free.

I have booked myself into the 11am tour and will then look to join some on a Citycat Group.

Bookings here:

Clock Tower Tours

Discover the hidden secrets of your heritage-listed City Hall building with a guided tour of Brisbane’s iconic Clock Tower.

www.eventbrite.com.au

Select "More Options" to get an availability Calendar, choose Sunday 20th, then select the time, select CONFIRM , select TICKETS and pick the number required before proceeding.

Clock Tower Tour important information:
- Please ensure you arrive at Museum of Brisbane reception 15 minutes prior to your tour start time.
- All participants including children and infants need a valid ticket.
- 12 yo or under need to be accompanied by an adult.
- No backpacks, large bags, or helmets | Lockers available at Museum entrance.
- Museum of Brisbane reserves the right to cancel tours at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather conditions or maintenance.

 

[AIRwin]

I have booked myself into the 11am tour.

Just before/after the clock strikes 11?

 

[NM]

Dietary Requirements
If anyone has not yet provided details of specific dietary requirements for Friday dinner, Saturday Experience A and Saturday dinner, please send them through to me.

For your confirmation, I have already received details from @Ade, @Captain Halliday, @Hvr, @Ron Calls, and @tdimdad so no need for you to reconfirm unless requirements have changed . Thanks.

 

[serfty]

Just before/after the clock strikes 11?

I'd expect 10 strikes immediately before departure ...

 

[NM]

Just before/after the clock strikes 11?

He has booked for the 11th hour

 

[Ade]

No dress code but aviation related clothes will make you fit in perfectly

I might wear the QF cap that I received in my recent international flight, if I don't forget to pack it.

 

[NM]

There may just be a prize for best aviation/travel themed outfit worn to Saturday dinner . Not sure a cap (with or sans trousers) will be prize winner .

And I note that @straitman is arriving from AKL so will not have the opportunity to retrieve his former military pilot uniform for the event

 

[DejaBrew]

It’s ok @Ade - I think the QF cap (similarly gifted mid-flight by the CSM) is about the best I can muster as well, so I can keep you company on the “Best Aviation/Travel Themed Outfit” losers’ table

 

[NM]

It’s ok @Ade - I think the QF cap (similarly gifted mid-flight by the CSM) is about the best I can muster as well, so I can keep you company on the “Best Aviation/Travel Themed Outfit” losers’ table

Perhaps pair the cap with appropriate pajama pants, skirt, kilt, socks, eye-mask appropriately worn according to the prevailing weather conditions of the day.

 

[FishFood]

Sunday Clocktower Tours

Clocktower tours for Sunday have opened up with Tours scheduled every ¼ hour from 10:15am. These appear to have a maximum of 8 per tour. Booking is free

I have booked myself into the 11am tour and will then look to join an oganised CityCat Group.

Bookings here:

Clock Tower Tours

Discover the hidden secrets of your heritage-listed City Hall building with a guided tour of Brisbane’s iconic Clock Tower.

www.eventbrite.com.au

Select "More Options" to get an availability Calendar, choose Sunday 20th, then select the time, select CONFIRM , select TICKETS and pick the number required before proceeding.

Also booked in for this one

 

[Sprucegoose]

There may just be a prize for best aviation/travel themed outfit worn to Saturday dinner . Not sure a cap (with or sans trousers) will be prize winner .

And I note that @straitman is arriving from AKL so will not have the opportunity to retrieve his former military pilot uniform for the event

Even if he could, I highly doubt ol soak would be able to fit into it.

 

[Matt_01]

@NM you seemed to mention wearing trouser or pants a few times. Would a combination of a QF cap this win the Saturday night prize. I'm wearing pants

 

[straitman]

There may just be a prize for best aviation/travel themed outfit worn to Saturday dinner . Not sure a cap (with or sans trousers) will be prize winner .

And I note that @straitman is arriving from AKL so will not have the opportunity to retrieve his former military pilot uniform for the event

I think my uniform should be in a museum somewhere!

Will RAAF 100th Anniversary cap, miniature (approved) Pilots Wings and a Squadron badge suffice?

 

[NM]

@NM you seemed to mention wearing trouser or pants a few times. Would a combination of a QF cap this win the Saturday night prize. I'm wearing pants

Unlikely to be a winner in the context of a travel/aviation theme, I am afraid. And as with all such event competitions, the judges decision will be final and non-negotiable . And as you do not know who the judge will be, making assumptions about their personal preferences may not wise .

The requirement is not exclusive to trousers, per se. Shorts (@drron is unable to attend this year, so an opportunity for someone new to make a fashion statement), jeans, skirt, dress, kilt could all accompany said cap, but I might suggest you avoid the plan to wear your leotard.

 

[NM]

I think my uniform should be in a museum somewhere!

Will RAAF 100th Anniversary cap, miniature (approved) Pilots Wings and a Squadron badge suffice?

a good start and might have you being considered - depending on the accompanying attire.

 

[CaptJCool]

Hooray
I’m booked on QF1938
Tuesday 15th October 2235 arrive

Depart Monday 21 October
QF633 1615 onto QF699

Fully paid up
No aviation attire for Sat
The JAL F PJs are non-descript and more a morning thing…